Class 43 HST Profile and Models

Class 43 HST

43138 'City of Plymouth' at Birmingham New Street in April 1987. ©Steve Jones

The British Rail Class 43 (HST) is the TOPS classification used for Intercity 125 High Speed Train power cars, built by British Rail for use on express passenger services. The Class 43 is officially the world's fastest diesel locomotive, with an absolute maximum top speed of 148mph, and a regular service speed of 125mph. The class are widely regarded as one of the most iconic and influential locomotive designs and were a tremendous success for British Rail. The class were paired with specfically designed Mk3 coaching stock and initially saw use on both the Western and Eastern regions of BR. Over time, they saw use across the network and thanks to their vastly improved speed and acceleration/ deceleration times, they helped to slash journey times. The HSTs continued strongly into the 21st century and although they have now been removed from their original 'stomping grounds', they still perform a variety of services with an array of operators into the 2020s. Many sets have now been stored, but there have been expressions of interest for their use on other passenger workings or even as part of new freight operations.

(Information provided via Wikipedia)

Type of Locomotive

Diesel-Electric

Builder

BREL Crewe Works

Build Dates

1975 to 1982

Total Built

197

Tractive Effort

17,980 lbf

Power Output

2,250 hp

Top Speed

In Service: 125mph
Record Speed: 148 mph

Wheel Configuration

Bo-Bo

Operated By

British Rail
Abellio ScotRail
Colas Rail
Cotswold Rail
CrossCountry
East Coast
East Midlands Trains/ Railway
GNER
Grand Central Trains
Great Western Railway
Hull Trains
London North Eastern Railway
Midland Mainline
Network Rail
National Express East Coast
Virgin Cross Country
Virgin Trains East Coast
Virgin Trains West Coast

Main Duties

Regional & Express Passenger

In Service Until

Present

Surviving Examples

194

 

Products awaiting categorisation

Scale Brand Image Construction Type DCC Capability Product Code Product Title Livery
OO Gauge (1:76 Scale) Amer Collection GBL17 Class 43 in BR Intercity 125 livery - static model - not motorised RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled Not set GBL17
View
Class 43 in BR Intercity 125 livery - static model - not motorised BR blue and grey
N Gauge Dapol No image available RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled DCC Ready. 6-pin socket ND111aDISC
View
Class 43 HST Twin Pack Intercity Blue/Grey 43006 (powered) + 43007 (Dummy) BR blue and grey
N Gauge Dapol No image available RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled DCC Ready. 6-pin socket ND111bDISC
View
Class 43 HST Twin Pack Intercity Swallow 43120 (Powered) + 43114 (Dummy) Intercity
N Gauge Dapol No image available RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled DCC Ready. 6-pin socket ND111cDISC
View
Class 43 HST Twin Pack Virgin Trains 43098 (Powered) + 43102 (Dummy) Virgin Cross Country
N Gauge Del Prado Del4 HST 125 Inter City - Locomotives of the World static model RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled Not set Del4
View
HST 125 Inter City - Locomotives of the World static model Awaiting Categorisation
T Gauge (1:450 Scale) Eishindo TG-125 Intercity 125 4-Car HST in BR blue & grey RTR/RTUse/Pre-assembled Not set TG-125
View
Intercity 125 4-Car HST in BR blue & grey BR blue and grey